Saturday, March 03, 2007

I was thrilled with the responses I got on the perfume question. You must be one yummy smelling group of people, let me tell you.

I'd never realized Bath and Body Works' products were so popular, I'm intrigued by Eau de Cartier and Lovely that were mentioned several times. I'm planning a Nordstrom trip to sniff out your suggestions and see what I make of them.

So the question I have for you today is what is your favorite guilty pleasure?

If you have an hour to yourself and time, money, children or practicality weren't issues what would you do? What's the thing that gives you the most relaxation, rejuvenation, pleasure, pampering--however you care to think of it? Is it a special tasty treat? A favorite movie or book? A nap, a restaurant, a massage or a walk in the rain? Listening to Barry Manilow with the lights down low? (Please don't tell me it's Barry--Sting yes, Barry never.)

If I have time to myself I love to read. Curling up in a warm room (hard to come by these days) with an engrossing novel is hard to beat. Maybe with a bowl of popcorn if I'm feeling peckish--with enough butter to get the pages slightly greasy. If it happens to be summer, give me the same scenario only transport me to the back porch where I can sit in the sun and just enjoy the warmth on my skin and smell of my garden and worry a bit about having a dragonfly land on me (I'm terrified of them I tell you. Terrified.)

I'm also highly satisfied by a soak in the tub. Only problem is I'm so amazingly tall I don't fit well in regular tubs--rather like a veal in a box--I'd need a deep, romantic, stand-alone, claw-footed number to really feel luxurious. And have the tub be in a room where sunlight is sifting down gently through the steam rising in the air. And the scent of Eucalyptus bubble bath. And maybe the sound of the ocean breaking against the rocks on the beach--yes, that would be absolutely necessary for optimal bathing pleasure. But in a pinch I'll take a good foot soak followed by a pedicure.

So what does it for you? Has it been so long you've forgotten? I won't disown you if you tell me your spare time goes to blogging, that you'll take that over a plate of truffles in front of a warm fire, but I'm looking for something that doesn't require internet service.

I just love to be alone when I have some down time. I'm an introvert at heart and I've found that having alone time helps me "recharge". My favorite way to enjoy my alone time is by reading. I love to read.

I love, love, love to read. But that's not my "guilty" pleasure, now that I'm a grown-up and don't have to sneak a book and a flashlight under the covers.

My guilty pleasure is no longer feasible, since my finances now come from my husband, but it was good while it lasted. When I was teaching in a classical school and always seemed to work 70 hours a week either in the classroom or grading papers and writing curriculum, my "shoulders were up around my ears" more often than not. So I started going to a wonderful Aveda spa for a stress relief massage (back & shoulders only) every other Friday, treating myself to a full massage one time a month. During that same job, working all those hours got a little boring in my classroom, so I routinely moved the latter half of my day to a comfy neighborhood Starbucks. Geez, I'd be rich if I'd saved all the money spent on cafe mochas.

Those days are over. The only massage I get now is from my hubby, when I can convince him.

My sister & BIL work at a camp in the UP and one of my favorite things is to be up there, living in a small cabin without a lot of *stuff* and without TV, radio, or internet (but still electricity and running water!!) and to sit and read in front of the fire at night, or play scrabble after the kids have gone to bed. I suppose I could do those things at home ... but we don't. Isn't that strange? That's not really a guilty pleasure, though, just a rare one. Guilty pleasures are more boring, like eating junk food when the kids are in bed.

I didn't answer the perfume question because I read the other answers first and everyone had such nice growny uppy answers. I wear the same inexpensive cologne I have since late high school. I'm afraid of fancy stores with their fancy scents.

Hmmn, extra special & fluffy frechtoast smothered with strawberry jam & a nice hot cup of coffee made for me by hubby on sunny Saturday mornings.Then spending the whole day lazing around with a good book . Now, if only I could throw in a 'little' bit of internet- that would be the ideal day! =) Have a nice weekend!

I had a trip to NY a while back...(2 1/2 years ago)and I had the opportunity to do all that I love with a friend of mine...I went to Mario Badescu to have a facial and a manicure..I went to dinners and sing along bars... I induldged in countless museums and galleries, I went for walks through central park...But you know what my favourite thing was???I flew into NY...But I chose to take the train home...and it was glorious!!!The train left when they said it was going to leave.The people who work the trains are courteous...I was in a four seater by myself... I had a CDplayer with all my favourite songs, I had a book,I had magazines, I had 2 litres of water,I had Dean And Deluca sandwiches...Do you know I did not get up once?My only interference from myself..came when customs boarded my train...They came to me...And asked me how my trip was in a civilized tone...and welcomed me back...and the best part of it all ... was the fact that my husband and daughter were waiting at the train station to welcome me home... and I could get off the train and directly into their welcoming arms...

I can honestly say that I have no idea. I just hate bubble baths, and I don't like people I don't know touching me. Reading is something I get to do everyday, so It's not really a guilty pleasure. I guess I take free time for granted since I actually have free time (no human kids).

I really think if I could figure out a way to play my guitar in a foamy hot tub that would be fantastic. But seriously, an hour of playing my guitar on an empty front porch (in summer) or in front of a fire (in winter) followed by several hours of bubble bath with a novel is my dream "retreat".

If I only have a couple of hours in the middle of the day, I like to slip away and see a brainless chick flick matinee. Of course, now that I have a baby on the way, that's going to have to stop.

I had my first massage about a month ago. If money were no object that would be my pleasure.

But money is an object. If I had time without kids, a walk alone in our woods on a sunny day would be my pleasure.

Reality is alone time really is only found when little ones are napping and big ones are occupied. Blogging, reading, baking (and of course eating the product) and being outside, yet close enough to hear a baby crying are my pleasures.

Oh, the possibilities are endless ... it all depends on my mood and the weather. A full body massage, a pedicure, reading a book at an outdoor table on the beach of a cafe while eating a bagel, sipping hot cocoa on a cold day while browsing through a book store, etc.

It's so funny, this must be a virus spreading throughout bloggers' pages (albeit a GOOD virus, trust me!) because it's at least the third or fourth blog where I've seen us sharing our favorite simple or guilty pleasures! I made a list of my own a few weeks ago, but I totally agree with you that reading a good book in a warm room would be near to the top of my list -- although with our humidity, the warm part is lacking. In the spring and summer I like to do it out in the sun too. Ideally, I dream of reading a book by a cozy fireplace, but I don't think I'll have that luxury for a while!

And nibbling on some of my favorite foods comes in close to the top too -- I took my boy out to dinner for his b-day last night, and we discovered a new restaurant together, where we had an excellent meal. I had read a few articles about the place, which came highly recommended, and overall we weren't disappointed. I love that kind of evening... Plus, the weather is just starting to warm up here -- I hope it lasts!

a 2 hour massage on the beach listening to the sound of crashing waves - I did it in Bali last X'mas - heaven!.... Here I manage to get reflexology at home for an hour before bed once a week, where I can totally doze off... Double heaven!

A very hot bath, with Healing Garden Green Tea Therapy Bath salts, a good book, a handful of Lindt Truffles, and an ice cold Gingerale or flavored water (the carbonated kind).I also like a hot shower, and if I had one of those instant hot water heaters I would probably never get out. Unfortunately, I run out of hot water in about 15 minutes.

A massage. I consider it a medical necessity, mental and physical. Once every six weeks. I'd also love a long hot bath, but I have the height vs. tub issue and it's just not worth it. If I'm really going all out on guilty pleasures, I get my Starbucks with whipped cream, whole milk, and full-sugar syrup. :)

I agree on the long, hot soak, preferably with a good book. My problem is that even though I am not abnormally tall, my 3/4 length bathtub just isn't comfortable for soaking. Someday I'll have that clawfoot tub by the beach. Someday.

Well, I'd love to spend the whole day at a spa, somewhere serene, the massages are done outdoor with the sun on my back, with a pedicure/manicure, mud bath, the whole works. Cabana boys to bring me delicious all you can eat whatever, esp. sushi or oysters since I'm pregnant and can't eat anything raw for a while.

It's nice to dream, it's free after all. Thanks for letting me have something to dream about now.